ASG releases captive from Zambo

After being held captive for over a year, a businessman who was abducted in Zamboanga City was released on Wednesday by the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Western Mindanao Command Spokesman Major Filemon Tan identified the victim as Araji Maani, a Muslim trader from the said city.

The ASG released the victims in barangay Wanih Piyanjihan, Parang, Sulu around 10:45am.
Maani was kidnapped last July 27, 2015 in Zamboanga City.

Authorities however cannot confirm if the family of the victim paid ransom for his release.
Maani went through debriefing by the Joint Task Force Sulu, Sulu Police Provincial Office and other law enforcement units before they return him to his family.

Meanwhile, the troops from the 35^th Infantry Battalion had an encounter with 20 members of the ASG in barangay Maligay, Patikul early Wednesday morning.

The said clash lasted for five minutes.

A member of the ASG was killed from the encounter and the military were able to recover some of the ASG’s firearms.

Mayor Tan said that the group of ASG they encountered are believed to be responsible in the killing of soldiers in different parts of Jolo.

“The conduct of focused military operations in Sulu is believed to exert pressure on the ASG to release their remaining kidnap victims. To date, there are nine foreigners and three locals believed to still be in the hands of the bandits.”
(with DZRH Florante Rosales)